DRUNKEN burglar William Irwin stole a £300 gold watch from a house in Darwen, but he was horrified when he saw the watch on his bedside table the following morning and realised what he had done.

Blackburn magistrates heard that by an amazing coincidence, Irwin, with the help of his father, had been able to return the watch to its owner and it was that action that led to his arrest.

Irwin, 21, of Sandwich Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to burglary at a house in Newton Street and theft of the watch.

He was remanded on bail until August 6 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Philip Potter, prosecuting, said that at 4.30am, Lee Shorrock was asleep in his bed when he was disturbed by a noise coming from downstairs.

He went to investigate and was in time to see someone climbing out of the window. He tried to grab the intruder but he escaped. Lesley Halliwell, defending, said Irwin had been out celebrating his 21st birthday and was extremely drunk at the time of the burglary.

"When he woke up and saw the watch, he was very distressed and went straight to his parents'," said Miss Halliwell.

"That night, his father was in a pub when he heard someone talking about his house being burgled and his watch being stolen."

Mr Irwin senior indicated that he knew who was responsible and said he would get the watch back.

"The watch was returned and my client was prepared to meet the man and apologise for what he had done, but the man was not prepared to accept that and the police were called," she said.

"My client has set up home with his girlfriend and has been striving to keep out of trouble. If he could take back anything he has done in his life, it would be this."

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